Entry
パカパカ
pakapaka
パカパカ is an onomatopoeia describing the rhythmic clip-clop sound of horse hooves, or a noun referring to a clamshell flip phone.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word mimics the light, rhythmic "clip-clop" sound made by a horse walking or trotting. Because of the snapping sound generated when opening and closing them, it has also become widely used as a direct noun to describe classic clamshell-style mobile phones.
- The rhythmic clip-clop of a horse.
- A flip phone, or the sound of snapping one open and closed.
Sense Map
Horse Hooves
The rhythmic, hollow sound of hooves striking the ground.
馬がパカパカ走る。
Flip Phone
Refers to a flip-style mobile phone or the action of opening and closing it.
パカパカの携帯電話。
Usage Note
How to Use
パカパカと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe the manner of an action producing a clip-clop sound.
パカパカ + noun
Used to modify a noun or as a direct noun itself, most commonly referring to a flip phone.
パカパカする
Used as a verb to describe the action of repeatedly snapping a hinged item open and shut.
How to Use
Common Phrases
馬がパカパカ走る
a horse runs with a clip-clop sound
携帯をパカパカする
to snap a flip phone open and closed
パカパカと音がする
to make a clip-clop sound
パカパカケータイ
flip phone
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Horses | neutral | Depicts a leisurely or steady walking pace. |
| Technology | neutral | Often used with a hint of nostalgia for older electronic devices. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぱからっぱからっ ぱからっぱからっ / similar | Used for the intense, dramatic galloping sound of a horse running at high speed. | パカパカ suggests a steady walk or trot, while パカラッパカラッ conveys urgency and a much faster pace. | 馬がパカラッパカラッと走る。 |
からんころん からんころん / similar | Used for the hollow clacking sound of traditional Japanese wooden sandals (geta). | Both are walking noises, but カランコロン is strictly for wooden footwear worn by humans, not for animals. | 下駄がカランコロンと鳴る。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for heavy human footsteps.
Heavy, solid footsteps are represented by ドンドン. パカパカ implies a lighter, hollow sound.
Using it to refer to a touchscreen smartphone.
It exclusively refers to folding clamshell phones because of the hinge.
Examples
Examples
馬がパカパカと足音を立てて歩いている。
馬(うま)がパカパカと足音(あしおと)を立(た)てて歩(ある)いている。
The horse is walking, making a clip-clop sound with its footsteps.
LiteralDescribes the light, rhythmic sound of horse hooves.
昔の携帯電話は、二つに折りたためるパカパカでした。
昔(むかし)の携帯電話(けいたいでんわ)は、二(ふた)つに折(お)りたためるパカパカでした。
Old mobile phones were flip phones that could be folded in two.
LiteralRefers directly to old flip-style feature phones.
暇なときに、つい携帯をパカパカしてしまう。
暇(ひま)なときに、つい携帯(けいたい)をパカパカしてしまう。
When I'm bored, I end up mindlessly flipping my phone open and closed.
LiteralDescribes the physical action of repeatedly opening and closing a hinge.
パカパカというひづめの音が遠くから聞こえる。
パカパカというひづめの音(おと)が遠(とお)くから聞(き)こえる。
The clip-clop sound of hooves can be heard from afar.
LiteralFocuses on the direct naming of the horse walking sound effect.
彼女は古いパカパカを今でも大切に使っている。
彼女(かのじょ)は古(ふる)いパカパカを今(いま)でも大切(たいせつ)に使(つか)っている。
She still carefully uses her old flip phone to this day.
LiteralUsed as a full noun substitute to name the electronic device.
Similar Words
パカラッパカラッ
pakarappakara
The rhythmic clip-clop sound of horse hooves. Used for a horse galloping intensely, unlike the steady pace of pakapaka.
カランコロン
karankoron
The clear, hollow sound of wooden clogs (geta), an old-fashioned shop doorbell, or ice clinking in a glass. Also a hollow walking sound, but strictly for human wooden footwear (geta).
Questions
Does this word only refer to horses?
While originally famous for horse hooves, in modern Japanese it is just as widely used as a slang term for a flip phone.
Can I use it for human walking sounds?
Generally no. However, it is sometimes used when a person's shoes are too big, causing the heel to repeatedly flap against the foot with a hollow sound.
Is the term for flip phones still relevant?
Yes, it remains the most common conversational way to refer to older flip phones to distinguish them from modern touchscreen devices.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2627650
- Source
- JMdict_english
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- English
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